Mower



June 21, 1938. B. H. URSCHEL MOWER Filed May '7, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet lLima/4 @w June 21, 1938. B. H. URSCHEL MOWER Filed May 7, 1956 9Sheets-Sheet 3 gnvc nm Skim/M1 June 21, 1938. a. H. URSCHEL 2,121,749

MOWER Filed May 7, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 gwumm 13mm fl 254mm June 21,1938. B. H. URSCHEL 2,121,749

MOWER Filed May '1, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Ee ii 21 7%.04221 low/2d June21, 1938. 'B. H. UYRSCHEL 2,121,749

MOWER Filed May '7, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 6mm FL awed June 21, 1938., B.H. URSCHEL 2,121,749

MOWER Filed May 7, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented June 21, 1938 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE MOWER Application May '7, 1936, Serial N0. 78,297

17 Claims.

My invention relates to mowers or reapers for cutting lawn or cerealgrasses.

The invention provides a grass cutting machine having a cutter memberthat cuts at a fixed distance from the ground level to leave all of thegrass blades or stubble at a uniform height.

The invention also provides an enclosing or covering shell that affordsa guard or, protective means for the moving parts and prevents contactwith and injury to other objects.

The invention also provides means for depositing the cut portions of thegrass in windrows. It further provides means for delivering the grassfrom the machine and disposing the cut blades or stalks so that theyextend in the direction of the windrows.

The invention also provides means for periodi-f cally discharging thecollected cut portions of the blades and the stalks from the machine toproduce piles of the grass.

The invention also provides a grass cutting machine having a rotatablydriven annular cutter or blade, and means for conveying the grasstransversely with the movement of the forward side of the cutter bladeand deflecting the grass from its conveyed position to form windrows orto accumulate the cut grass and finally discharge the grass in piles.

The invention also provides means for maintaining the cut portions ofthe grass in its upright position and means for gathering the grass whenin this position.

The invention also provides means for bundling and discharging bundlesof the grass from the machine. It further provides means collecting andarranging the bundles to form cocks and a means for discharging thecocks from the machine.

The invention has for its object other features and advantages whichwill appear from the following description and 'upon examination of thedrawings. To illustrate a practical application of the invention, I haveselected a mower and a modified form of the invention, referred to as areaper, to illustrate practical applications of the invention, it beingunderstood that structures containing the invention may partake ofdifirent forms and may be varied in their details. The mower and reaperforms of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings andare described hereinafter.

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the mower containing myinvention. Fig. 2 is a top view of the mower shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3illustrates a view of a vertical section of the mower.

Fig. 4 illustrates a view of the mower when inverted. Fig. 5 is a viewof a section taken on a plane extending at right angles to the sectionshown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view showing a. part of thecutter blade and parts contigu- 5 ous thereto. Fig. 7 is a side view ofthe reaper form of the invention. Fig. 8 illustrates a part of thecock-forming and grass discharging means of the form shown in Fig. 7.Fig. 9 illustrates a top view of the reaper form of the invention. Fig.10 10 illustrates a front view of the machine. Fig.

11 illustrates a view of a section of one of the shells, its cutterblade, and stalk holders. Fig. 12 illustrates the cock-forming parts ofthe machine. Fig. 13 illustrates a part of the bundle-forming 15mechanism. Fig. 14 illustrates a broken sectional view showing relativelocation of parts of the machine.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figs.

1 to 6, the supporting body of the mower consists 20 of a sheet. metalshell 2 mounted on rollers or wheels. A suitable motor is supported onthe shell, and connected to the moving parts for operating the mower.The shell 2 is of the form of an inverted pan that encloses or coversthe sup- 25 porting roller and wheels. The lower edge is provided with acircular guard 6 of relatively thick metal that may be welded to theedge of the shell 2. It is provided with an upwardly extending flange 1extending along a semi-circular rear 30 edge part of the shell 2. Theguiding handle bar 5 is pivotally connected to the flange I.

A sheet metal housing 8, substantially segmental in form with respect tothe circle of the guard 6, surrounds a major portion of the motor 35 9and its mechanism. The motor 9 is mounted and secured by bolts M on asubstantially segmental plate II, which forms the bottom of the housing8. The edge parts of the plate ll are welded to the inner surfaces ofthe housing 8. 40 An air deflector part l3 of the plate I l is struck upfrom the plate to receive a pan l2 having an end part 24 welded to theplate II. The struck-up part I3 over-hangs an end part 24 of the panill, for directing air with respect to a 5 motor fan located Within thepan, one side of the plate l3 has openings 26 for directing air to themotor fan and an edge part that coacts with the sides of an end part 21of the pan to direct the air toward the cylinder of the internalcombustion engine 9.

The cylinder is provided with suitable fins l6 for air cooling thecylinder. Its piston I1 is eccentrically connected to the shaft l8 whichis provided with suitable bearings in the frame I 9.

The axis of the engine is preferably located horizontally andsubstantially in the plane of the upper edge of the housing 8. Asuitable carburetor 28 may also be connected to the frame IQ of theengine for supplying gasoline vapor to the engine as required. One endof the shaft I8 is connected to a suitable timer 2|, and the other endof the shaft is connected to a blower or fan 22 and to a sheet metalshell 23.

The upper end portion 29 of the shell 23 is formed conical and its lowerend portion 3| is formed cylindrical. The upper end of the conicalportion 29 extends through an opening 32 formed in the bottom of the pan|2. The shell 23 is located beneath a major portion of the edge of theplate ll of the housing 6 and is spaced therefrom to form an opening 33.The blades 34 of the fan 22 may be secured to a disc 36, and the disc 36may be provided with a plurality of openings 31. Thus on rotation of thefan 22, air will be drawn through the openings 26 of the plate II, theopenings 33, the opening 32 formed in the pan l2, and the openings 31formed in the disc 36, and directed by the fan into a large endpart 21of the pan l2,

the side of the end 21 of the pan operating to direct the air towardsthe fins |6 of the engine during the rotation of the shell 23.

The shell 23 is welded centrally to a hub 38 and through the hub 38 isconnected to the shaft l8 by a suitable threaded portion and a nut 39.The cylindrical portion of the outer shell 23 surrounds and is locatedcoaxially with respect to the shell 2. A circular cutting blade 4|having an L-shaped cross section is pressed into the end of the shell23. The flange part 42 of the blade extends vertically and is formedcylindrically and substantially fits the lower edge portion of the shell23. A reinforcing ring 40 may be forced within the blade 4| to distendthe flange of the blade to tightly and yet removably secure the blade inthe end of the shell 23. The blade 4| extends horizontally and protrudesfrom the lower edge of the shell 23 only a short distance, such as aquarter of an inch. It extends along the semi-circular, forward part ofthe guard 6 and but a short distance beyond the guard, such as about oneeighth of an inch. The edge part of the blade 4| is cut back to formradially extending edge parts 43 that are sharpened. The circularportions 44 are also sharpened and form cutting edges. The intermediateportions 46 slope inwardly from the following ends of the circularextending portions 43. Preferably the sloping portions 46 are notsharpened and operate to release and guide the grass to the radiallycutting edge portions 43 as the machine is moved forward. Thus, theradially extending cutting portions 43 insure the cutting of the grassthat is not cut by the circular edge portions 44.

The edge of the guard 6 has substantially the same radius or slightlyless than that of the corners formed between the cutting edge parts 43and the edge portions 46 of the blade, while the flange 1 extends from"the rearward semi-circular part of the guard 6 to completely enclosethe rear part of the edge of the blade.

In the operation of the motor, the circumferential speed is such as toproduce not only an edge out, as distinct from a saw cut, by thesharpened edge portions 44 of the blade, but also a transverse whip-cutby the radially extending edge portions 43 thereby insuring not onlycutting of the grass blades, but also cutting of stalks of grass thatmay exist, such as where lawn mower.

. faces of the groove.

grass has been allowed to grow toward seed producing lengths. Thecircumferential speed also is such as to out the grass according to theforward movement of the lawn mower as produced by .the motor. Thecircumferential speed. however, is such as to prevent throwing of thegrass from the surface of the shell 23. As the grass is out, the lowerends of the cut portions slide onto the protruding edge part of theblade and the cut portions are brought into contact with the cylindricalvertically extending surface 3| of the shell 23, and by the forwardmovement of the mower, the grass is maintained in its up right position,until the end edge part 48 of the flange I is reached where some of thegrass collects. The part 48 thus operates to cause the grass to bedeflected from the cylindrical part of the shell 23 to deposit the grassin the form of a windrow at one side of the swath cut by the As thegrass is discharged from the machine, the grass blades are drawn ordeposited lengthwise in the direction of the windrow thus formed.

To produce a further protection against injury from contact with theblade, a ring 49 may be, if desired, secured to the cylindrical part 3|of the shell at a point above the blade 4|. It may have a width so as tolocate its outermost edge portions' from the shell a slightly greaterdistance than the outermost portions of the blade extend from the shell.The ring 49 may be provided with transverse extending grooves formingcylindrical or curved portions 52 intermediate the grooves 5I.Preferably the grooves 5| are formed V-shaped, the opposite sidesurfaces of each of the grooves sloping at different angles to the radiiextending through the lines of intersections of the planes of the sidesur- Thus the center lines between the surfaces of the grooves areinclined to the radii in the direction of rotation of the blade 4|. Thegrooves will operate to catch the blades and stalks of grass. The ringthus has a surface that frictionally engages the cut grass andcooperates with the upper portion of the cylindrical part of the surfaceof the shell 23 to convey the grass laterally to the side of the swathand also affords a further protection to the blade. The ring 45 and theguard 6 afford the maximum possible protection as against injury due tothe movement of the blade and protects the blade from contact with allordinary obstructions or objects.

The vertical shaft I8 of the motor is connected to a horizontal shaft 53through a pair of beveled gears 54 that are located in a gear housing 56secured to the top of the shell by the bolts 55. A pair of pulley wheels56 are connected to the shaft 53 and a pair of belts 51, preferablytraction belts formed of rubber or other suitable material, are drivenby the wheels 56 to actuate a roller 58. The roller 58 is provided withgrooves located in its ends which are adapted to receive the belts 51.The outer surfaces of the belts are preferably toothed to form tractionparts that protrude slightly from the lower side of the roller 58whereby the mower will be drawn forwardly by the operation of the motor.The roller 58 is rotatably supported on the shaft 59. The ends of theshaft 59 are secured in brackets 6| that are connected to the side wallof the shell 2.

A pair of wheels 62 are rotatably supported in brackets 63 that areswiveled on the rivets 64 secured to the top of the shell 2 and arelimited in their swiveled movements by the rivets 66 that are secured tothe top of the shell and extend through the slots 8|.formed in the topsof the brackets. The wheels 82 cooperate withthe roller to support theblade ll in a plane parallel to they supporting surface and inclose'proximity thereto. The .blade is thus located close to the groundand cuts the grass ata uniform distance therefrom. Preferably the undersurface of the guard 6 is curved convexedly to deflect anybbjects, suchas small stones, or to enable movement of the blade over projecting sodportions or objects on the surface of the ground. Also a pair of legs 68are pivotally supported on the shaft 59. They have a length sufilcientto raise the roller 58 from the ground whereby the engine may be crankedor operated without forwardly moving the mower.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figs. '7 to 14, the parts ofthe machine are supported on a frame II that is conveyably supported bymeans of the wheels 12, located at the forward end of the frame II, andby the guiding wheel I3. The wheels I2 may be provided with suitablelugs or other traction elements to produce forward movement over thesurface of the ground. The wheel I3 is connected to a shaft 15 rotatablysupported in a bifurcated arm I4 that is pivotally connected to theframe II. The arm I4 is pivotally supported in a bracket I6 having asuitable king pin 11 or other bearing part to enable swinging movementsof the wheel I3 relative to the frame II to direct the machine in itsmovement over the surfaceof the ground as it is propelled by the wheelsI2.

The wheels 12 are driven by a suitable internal combustion engine I8supported on the frame 1|. The crank shaft of the engine is connected toa drive shaft I9 by means of a suitable clutch mechanism that may beoperated by a pedal or by a lever, such as the lever and link mechanism88. The drive shaft 19 is connected to a' shaft 8I that is rotatablysupported in the brackets 82 connected to the frame II of the machine.The connection may be made through the bevel gear wheels 83 and 84located on the shafts 19 and 8|. 'Bevel gear wheels 86 are connected tothe shaft 8I at its ends. The gear wheels 86 mesh with bevel gear wheels81 that are connected to the shafts 88 rotatably supported in suitablebear-' ings formed in or secured to the frame 'II. The lower ends of theshafts 88 are provided with the bevel gear wheels 89 that mesh with ringgears 9I secured to the spokes or web 92 of the wheels I2 to producerotation of the wheels 12. The wheels I2 are connected to the shafts 93rotatably supported in the frame II, whereby forward movement of themachine may be produced upon operation of the clutch to connect thedrive shaft .19 with the crank shaft of the engine 18.

The machine may be steered or directed by means of a steering wheel 96.The steering wheel is provided with an arm 91 which is connected with anarm 98 located on the pivoted arm I4. The ends of the arms 91 and 98 areconnected together by the link 99 to produce swinging movement 'of thearm I4 and the wheel I3 to direct the machine by the operation of thesteering wheel 96 as the machine is moved by the wheels 12.

The machine is provided with a pair of shells I8I that are connected .bysuitable spiders I82 to the shafts 88. The shells I8I surround the majorparts of the wheels 12 and bent portions of the frame II to which thewheels I2 are rotatably connected. The beveled gears 81 mesh with thebeveled gears 86 at points located near the outer sides of the gears 81to cause opposite rotation of the shafts 88 and the shells IM to whichthe shafts are connected. The ring gears 9| are located on the innersides of the wheels 12, and consequently the shafts 88 cause therotation of the wheels 12 in the same direction.

lower edges of the shells I8 I. The cross-sectional form of the annularcutting blades I88 is L- shaped. Ifdesired, the lower edges of theshells may be reinforced and correspondingly strengthened by means ofthe rings I 84. The blades I88 and the rings I 84'may be pressed intothe ends of the shells or otherwise secured in their respectivepositions.

The annular cutting blades protrude but short distances from beneath thelower edges, of the shells I8I. They are provided with cutting portionsI86 having circular peripheral cutting edges I81 and radially cuttingedges I88. The blades are supported in planes substantially parallel tothe surface of the ground as the machine is moved. The blades form aplatform on which the ends of the cut portions of the stalks rest as theblades are rotated. The speed of rotation of the shells IM and theblades I83, together with the speed of the forward movement of themachine, is such as to prevent centrifugal displacement of the grass.

The grass is conveyed by the blades and shells to points intermediatethe shells IM and to a platform or plate I89 that may be secured to theframe of the machine. The plate I89 forms a floor on which the grass maybe collected in piles or, if the grass is bundled, may be collected inbundles. The blades I83 over-lap in the vicinity of the plate I89, andthe grass supported on the blades is delivered to the plate I89. Whencutting grass having stalks of considerable length, such as cerealgrasses, the shells I8I may be provided with a plurality of projectingfingers III for maintaining the stalks upright. They extend throughslotted openings I I2 formed in the shells. The fingers III protrudefrom the shell about the width of the projecting part of the cuttingblades I83. The fingers III are located in vertical rows, and thefingers of each row are connected to rods II3 that are rotatablysupported in bearings II4 secured to the inner surfaces of the shellsI8I. The rods II3 may be provided with the heads II6 that engage theupper bearings II4 to support the rods H3 in position within the shellsI8I. The rods II3 are spring pressed by the spring 1. One end of each ofthe springs H1 is secured in a hole formed in its associated rod, andthe other end II8 of the spring protrudes from the rod II3 to engagetheinside surface of the shell. The springs II'I operate to yieldinglypress the fingers III against the leading edges of the slotted openingsH2. The springs permit the fingers III to yield against the pressurethat is produced when the cut stalks are delivered to the frame of themachine.

The machine is provided with a pair of guiding plates I2I and I22. Theedges of the plates I2I and I22 are located in close proximity to theexterior surfaces of the shells IM and operate to collect the grass asit is conveyed by the shells to the space intermediate the shells.Either the grass is moved frictionally by the rotating surfaces of theshells, and also by the fingers III. The grass is pushed inwardlybetween the plates I2I and I22 onto the platform or plate I89 by thefingers III until they engage the forward .Annular cutting blades I83are connected to the v end edges of the plates I2I and I22 that swingthe fingers III toward the following end edges of the slots H2 and intothe shells IIII. Thus, the grass may be pushed through the space betweenthe plates I2I and I22 and gathered on the plate I09 or upon a rotatableplatform that may be pushed around as the grass is pressed rearwardlyfrom the shells by the fingers that collect the grass. Thus, the grassmay be collected in a pile or the stalks may be gathered while in theirupright positions by he fingers III and may be moved onto the pla I09.

The plate I09 may be cut to receive a circular platform I23 rotatablysupported on rollers I26 that are rotatably supported on the frame H anddistributed in spaced relation below the platform I23. The axes of therollers I26 are located in lines extending radially from the center ofrotation of the platform I23. A plate I24 may be located in a centrallydisposed opening I25 formed in the circular platform I23. The plate I24has a raised edge portion I3Il that over-laps the inner edge of thecircular platform I23 and guides the platform I23 in its rotation.Consequently, as the grass is pushed through the space between theplates I2I and I22 by the fingers 'in the drawings, means is providedfor bundling the grass stalks as they are forced between the plates I2Iand I22 by the fingers III. The plates I2I and I22 are bent to locatetheir grass delivering edges remote from each other. Preferably theforward portions I21 and I28 of the plates I2I and I22 are locatedsubstantially parallel while a greatly enlarged space is formedintermediate their rearwardly extending portions I29 and I3l. Within thespace between the portions I29 and I3I is located a rotatable gate I32having vertically and radially extending wings I33. The gate I32 isrotatably supported on the rod I34 that may be connected to the frame 1|of the machine. Preferably the winged gate is rotatably supported toyieldingly resist rotation to enable collection of the grass and toinsure filling of the spaces between the .wings of the gate and theplate I 22 by the operation of the fingers III. The rear and forwardportions I28 and I3I of the plate I22 extend in substantially the sameplane. The rear portion I3I of the plate, however, curves slightly fromthe plane of the forward portion I28. The portion I29 of the plate I2Iis bent laterally and curvedly to form a pronounced angle between theforward portion I21 and rear portion I29 of the plate. The gatesupporting rod I34 is located near the plane of the forward portion I21of the plate I2I so that the grass will engage the wings I33 of the gateI32 in succession to rotate the gate and direct the grass along theportion I3I of the plate I22 and over the surface of the platform I09and onto the circular platform I23.

The machine is provided with a means for discharging the grass from themachine. Preferably a conical receiving drum is located abovetherotatable part of the platform. The drum may be located at any suitableheight above the platform and may be adjusted in height according to thelength of the grass stalks collected. Where the grass is conveyedbeneath the drum in the form of piles, the drum may be lowered orotherwise positioned to sweep the pile from the machine and deposit italong the swath that has been cut by the machine, or the drum may beprovided with a gate for admitting upright stalks of the grass as theyare crowded together by the operation of the fingers of the shells. Whenthe drum has been filled, the drum may be laterally moved to slide thegrass from the platform and deposit it on the ground. Where cerealgrasses are gathered and their stalks are maintained upright, theconical form of the drum tilts the stalks inwardly and holds them tiltedon the platform and enables ready discharge of the stalks. If the stalksare bundled, the drum forms them into shocks, and the shocks may bedischarged and bodily set in shock form on the ground.

' In the form of construction shown, a conical drum I38 is supported bymeans of a pair of arms I39 upon a-pair of uprights MI. The arms I39 areconnected to a rod I42 that is pivotally supported in the upper ends ofthe uprights I. An arm I43 is connected to one end of the rod I42 forrotating the rod and swinging the arms I39 and the drum I38 rearwardlyto move the accumulated grass from the machine and over a rearwardlyextending plate I44 that may be inclined toward the ground.

A link I46 is connected to the arm I43 and to a wheel I41 rotatablysupported on the shaft 15. The connection to the wheel I41 may be madeby means of the round headed pin I48 that forms a universal joint. Thewheel I41 is centrally and circularly recessed, and a disc I49 islocated within the recess of the wheel I41 and is keyed to the shaft 15and rotated by the wheel 13. The wheel I41 is provided with a springpressed dog I5I that extends through the flange of the wheel formed by'its centrally recessed part for engagement in a notch I52 formed in thedisc I49, to cause rotation of the wheel I41 with the wheel 13 when thedog I5! engages in the notch I52. A cam I53 is connected to a rod I54that is rotatably supported in a bracket I55. The rod I54 is connectedto a rod I51 by means of the universal joint I56 that is rotatablysupported in brackets I58 and conneetcd to the frame 1| of the machineor to the platform I59. The end of the rod I51 is connectcd to a pedalI6! for rotating the rod I51, and the cam I53. The dog I5I is springpressed downwardly by a spring I50 secured at one end to the wheel I41and at the other end to the dog ISI. Rotation of the cam I53 releasesthe spring pressed dog I5I and allows it to rest on the periphery of thedisc I49 until, upon the rotation of the wheel 13 and the disc I49, thenotch I52 registers with the end of the dog I5I, whereupon the dog I5Iengages in the notch I52, and the wheel I41 is rotated with the discI49. Upon rotation of the. wheel I41, the link I46 is drawn downwardlywhich swings the arms I39 to swing the drum I33 rearwardly and move theaccumulated grass, either in the form of a pile or cock, over the plateM4 to the ground. The plate I44 is preferably pivotally connected to theframe H by a pivot pin I60 and may be suitably spring pressed by aspring I62 to normally maintain the outer edge of the plate I44 remotefrom the surface of the ground. The weight of the grass, that is pushedover the plate, tilts the plate to lower its outer edge to near theground during the discharge of the grass from the machine and thusoperates to guide the grass to the ground.

Upon movement of the dog I5I from the cam I53 by rotation of the wheelI41, the pedal I6I may be released. The pedal I6I is spring pressed andreturns the cam I53to its normal position. The cam I53 has a curved edgeportion I63 that engages the head of the dog and operates to lift thedog from the notch I52 upon the completion of the rotation of the wheelI41, that is, upon the completion of the return of the drum I38 to thecable I68 is connected to a drum I12.

its normal position. The edge of the cam I53 may be notched to engagethe dog and prevent continuedmovement of the wheel. Return of the drumto its normal position locates the centers of the wheel I41, the pinI48, and the point of connection of the link I46 with the arm I43 inline and operates to retain the drum I38 in its normal position.

Where cereal grass is cut and the stalks maintained upright, the stalksmay be bundled as they pass the gate I32, and the bundles may be pushedinto the drum, preferably through a swinging gate formed in the side ofthe drum. Also a telescopic or slidable pedestal or other contractibleguiding or grass confining element may be used to cooperatively maintainthe stalks or bundles upright. In the form of construction shown, aconical spring I66 has one end secured to the plate I24. The other endof the spring I66 is connected to one end of a flexible cable I68 thatextends axially through the conical spring and downwardly through theplate I24 and over the pulley wheels I69 and HI. The other end of Thedrum I12 is mounted on a shaft I13 that is rotat: ably supported in thebrackets I14. A pinion I16 is also mounted on the shaft I13, and thepedal I6I has a sector gear I11 that engages the pinion I16. Uponoperation of the pedal I6I to release the dog I5I, the sector gear I11operates the pinion I16 to rotate the drum I12 and draw the spring I66to the surface of the plate-I24 to prevent interference of the slidingmovement of the grass as it is moved from the machine by the operationof the drum I38. When the drum I38 has completed its movement todischarge the grass from the machine, the pedal I6! is released,

and the spring I66, operating through the pinion I16 and the sector gearI11, returns the pedal I6I and the cam I53 to their normal positions.The edge of the cam is then in position to engage the dog I5I at a pointjust in advance of the completion of the rotation of the wheel -I41 toraise the dog from the notch of the disc I49. The conical spring I66coacts with the conical drum to tilt the upright stalks inwardly.

When the upright stalks are pushed intermediate the wings I33 of thegate I32 to substantially fill the space between two of the wings andthe plate I22, they may be bundled and tied together by a suitablebundle mechanism. The details of the bundle mechanism form no part ofthe invention, and any one of a number of the wellknown bundlemechanisms may be used. A ball or spindle of twine, such as the twineI18, may be supported on the frame H to enable unwinding movement of theball or spindle. The twine I18 extends across the wing I33 located inproximity to the curved portion I29 of the plate I2I to a knottingmechanism enclosed in the shell or housing I19 and located on the outerside of the plate I22 and so that the twine I18 extends across the spaceformed by the forward portions I21 and In of the plates I2I and I22. Asthe upright stalks of grass are pushed along the space between theplates I2I and I22, the twine is pushed inwardly by the stalks until .asuflicient number of the stalks have been gathered to form a bundlewhereupon an arm I8I, frequently referred to as the needle arm, isoscillated to catch the twine in the vicinity of the bend of the plateI2I and to draw the twine I18 from the spindle to the housing I19 wherethe end portions of the part of the twine that surrounds the stalkscollected in the region of the gate I32'are knotted together, and thetwine is out and held, so that the portion that is drawn bythe needlearm I 8| is held in the housing I 19 until the arm I8I is againoperated. to make the succeeding bundle. The tying mechanism is actuatedby means of a shaft I82 that is connected by a sprocket wheel I83 and asprocket chain I84 connected to a sprocket wheel located on one of thevertical shafts 88. The shaft I82 is supported in bearings formed in theframe H of the machine. A sleeve I86 is located on the shaft I88, andthe shaft and sleeve are provided with clutch engaging members I81 thatare spring pressed and biased to clutch-open positions and may bebrought into a clutch engagement by the pedal I88. The pedal I88 isconnected to a shaft I89 that is rotatably supported in brackets I9I andI92 that are supported on the frame H of the machine. An arm" cates aportion of the twine in position across the space between the plates I2Iand I22.

In order to insure completion of the operation of the knotting mechanismafter the return movement of the needle arm I8I, the clutch I 81 isautomatically disconnected upon a complete rotation of the cam I96, thearm I8I having completed its return movement in advance of the operationof the knotting mechanism. A dog 28l is pivotally connected to one ofthe clutch members I81, connected to the sleeve I86, and engages in agroove 282 formed in the other clutch member I81 connected to the shaftI82. A cam 283 is connected to the end portion I3I of the plate I22 andengages an arm 284 connected to the dog to tilt the dog and disconnectthe clutch members I81 upon completion of the rotation of the cam I96 tolocate the arm I8I in its normal position. The sleeve I86 has a sprocketwheel 286 to which the sprocket chain 281 is connected. The sprocketwheel 286 operates the knotting and twine cutting mechanism contained inthe housing I19 subsequent to the return of the arm I8I. The parts ofthe knotting mechanism and the needle arm are maintained in their normalpositions until the pedal I88 is again operated.

Thus the bundles are crowded towards the circular platform I23 withinthe area of. the drum I 38 by the fingers III until a number of thebundles are located in their upright positions on the rotatable platformabout the spring I66 whereupon depression of the pedal I6I will causethe drum I38 to discharge the bundles. Preferably the drum I38 isdisposed well below the tops of the brass and forms a shock of thebundles as they are moved into the drum. In order to admit the bundlesinto the drum, the drum is provided with a gate 2 that is pivotallyconas the distance between the end of the portion I 3| of the plate I22and the point at which the succeeding wings I33 of the gate I32 normallytake as each bundle is pressed through the gate. The hinges of the gateare located at the end of the gate near the end of the portion I29 ofthe plate I2I to direct the bundles toward one side of the drum and thespring I66 to produce counter-clockwise rotation of the rotatableplatform I23, when viewed as shown in Fig. 9, by the operation of thefingers III as they push the stalks and bundles formed thereof towardthe rotatable platform. Thus the bundles are formed and forced into thedrum and onto the circular platform I23 until it is filled, whereuponthe pedal IGI may be operated for the discharge of the bundles from themachine to deposit them on the ground in the form of shocks.

I claim:

1. In a grass cutter, a shell having a cylindrical part, a grass cuttingblade part located at the lower edge of the cylindrical part, means forrotating the shell about a substantially vertical axis to .cut andgather the cut portions of the grass on the surface of the cylindricalpart of the shell and forwardly moving the shell over a supportingsurface to maintain the cut grass on the surface of the shell and todeflect cut portions of the grass at one side of the swath cut by theblade part.

2. In a grass cutter, a shell, rotative supporting members connected tothe shell for conveying the shell and enclosed withinthe shell, a secondshell I surrounding the first named shell and having a cutter partextending along the lower edge of the said second shell, the cutter parthaving peripherally located cutting edge portions, means supported onthe first named shell for moving the grass cutter over the supportingsurface and connected to the second shell for rotating the said secondshell.

3. In a grass cutter, a shell, rotative supporting members connected tothe shell and enclosed therein, a motor connected to the rotativemembers for conveying the shell, means for supporting the motor on theshell, a second shell surrounding the first named shell and connected tothe shaft of the motor, the lower edge of the second shell having aprojecting cutting part.

4. In a grass cutter, a shell, a grass cutting part, means for rotatingthe shell and operating the grass cutting part, the shell having agrooved ring located above the blade for maintaining the grass inupright positions, and means for deflecting the grass from the saidprojecting parts.

5. In a grass cutting machine, a circular blade part, means for rotatingthe blade part, means for maintaining the cut portions of the grasssubstantially upright, means for collecting the grass in its uprightposition on the machine, means for forming bundles of the cut portionsof the grass as they collect on the machine, means for forming cocks ofthe bundled portions of the grass, and means for discharging the cooksfrom the machine to the ground.

6. In a grass cutting machine, a pair of shells, the lower edges of theshells having grass cutting parts, means for rotatingthe shells inopposite directions, means carried by the shells for gathering the grassas it is cut and conveying it intermediate the shells, a rotatableplatform for receiving the grass, and means for discharging the grassfrom the machine.

7. In a grass cutter, a shell having a substantially cylindrical part,meansfor rotating the shell and moving the shell over the ground, the

lower edge of the cylindrical part of, the shell.

having a grass cutting part, the outermost cutting edges of the cuttingpart located in proximity to the lower end of the cylindrical part ofthe shell to deposit the severed parts of the grass on the surface ofthe shell by the movement of the shell over the ground and conveying thegrass by frictional contact with the shell to one side of the swath cutby the grass cutter whereby the rotation of the shell and the saidmovement of the shell over the ground will cause the grass to bedischarged from the shell.

8. In a grass cutter, a shell having a cylindrical part, the lower edgeof the cylindrical part of the shell having a grass cutting part, theoutermost cutting edges of the grass cutting partlocated in proximity tothe lower edge of the cylindrical part of the shell, the shell having acircular ridge located above the cutting edges and near the lower end ofthe cylindrical part of the shell and protruding from the shellsubstantially the same distance that the outermost cutting edgesprotrude from the surface of the shell.

9. In a grass cutter, a shell having a cylindrical part, the lower edgeof the cylindrical part of the shell having a grass cutting part, theshell having a circular ridge near the lower edge'of the cylindricalpart of the shell and protruding from the shell substantially the samedistance that the outermost cutting edges protrude from the surface ofthe shell, the ridge having grooves extending parallel to the axis ofthe shell, means for rotating and laterally moving the shell.

10. In a grass cutter, a frame, a shell having a cylindrical part, thelower edge of the cylindrical part having a grass cutting part, meansfor rotating and laterally moving the shell, an annular shoe supportedon the frame and located below and contiguous to the cutting part, andpro- .truding from the shell substantially the same distance that theinnermost cutting edges of the cutting part protrude from the lower edgeof the cylindrical part of the shell.

11. In a grass cutter, a frame, a shell, the lower edge of the shellhaving a grass cutting part, means for rotating and laterally moving theshell, an annular shoe supported on the frame and located, below andcontiguous to the cutting part and protruding from the shellsubstantially the same distance that the innermost cutting edges of thecutting part protrude'from the lower edge of the shell, the shell havinga circular ridge located near the cutting part and protruding from theshell substantially the same distance that the outermost edges protrudefrom the shell.

12. In a grass cutter, a frame, a shell rotatably supported on theframe, a cutting member having a laterally protruding narrow blade and aflange part, the flange part substantially fitting the lower part of theshell.

13. In a grass cutter, a frame, a shell rotatably supported on theframe, a cutting member having a laterally protruding narrow blade and aflange part, the flange part substantially fitting the lower part of theshell, an annular shoe supported on the frame and having a curvedlowermost surface, and means for rotating the shell relative to theshoe.

14. In a grass cutter, a frame, a shell, the lower edge of the shellhaving a grass cutting part, a vertically extending shaft connected tothe shell and rotatably supported in the frame, a motor means supportedon the frame for rotating the shaft, supporting wheels mounted on theframe and located within the shell, and means for connecting the wheelsto the shaft to actuate the wheels and convey the frame over asupporting surface.

15. In a grass cutter, a frame, a shell, the lower edge of the shellhaving a grass cutting part, a shaft rotatably supported in the frameand connected to the shaft, an internal combustion engine connected tothe shaft for rotating the shaft, wheels located within the shell forsupporting the frame and conveying the frame over a supporting surface,a fan connected to the shaft, an airdeflecting plate supported on theframe for dlrecting air from the fan to the engine.

16. In a grass-cutting machine, a circular blade, means for rotating theblade, a grassconveying means carried by the machine for conveying thegrass as it is cut by the blade, and a rotatable platform for receivingthe grass from the conveying means and rotated by the conveying means asthe grass is received.

17. In a grass-cutting machine, a circular blade, means for rotating theblade, a grasscolleeting means carried by the machine for collecting thegrass cut by the blade, means movable with the blade for conveying thecut grass to the collecting means, means operated by the conveying meansfor dividing the cut grass into substantially equal portions, arotatable platform for receiving the grass from the collecting means,and manually controlled means operated by the machine for dischargingthe said divided portions from the machine.

BERTIS H. URSCHEL.

